Avila scored 19 points, including nine in increments of three during the fourth quarter, to lead Jefferson (9-7, 0-2). But when the Mustangs threatened Edison’s lead, Munoz responded to propel the Golden Bears (14-7, 2-0) to an 11-2 run that decided the game.

Edison won 56-43 in the District 28-5A game.

“I try to give the other girls confidence by giving them the ball,” said Munoz, a sophomore point guard. “If someone makes a shot, everybody is lifted up. I try not to let the team get down, and give them a reason to keep playing.”

The Golden Bears established an 8-2 lead in the first quarter with four points from Natalie Esqueda. A second flurry, capped by a three-point basket from Madylynn Zavala with three seconds left in the quarter, made it 15-6.

“Our girls did a good job of coming out ready to play,” Edison coach Angie Johnson said. “They were getting up the court and playing our game. Jefferson did a good job of making us work for it.”

Munoz scored six of her 12 points in the second quarter and Avila put in four of her 10 first-half points as Jefferson established its half-court game. Jefferson exploited its size advantage inside, provided by Leah McGrew, Lauryn Guzman and Elaina Rocha (6 points) to close within 25-16 at halftime.

“Our focus was to keep the ball out of (Avila’s) hands as much as possible,” Johnson said.

With 2:14 remaining in the third quarter, two free throws from Alyssa Guzman (8 points) brought Jefferson within 30-22. Alyssa Rivera (19 points), who scored 14 second-half points off the bench, expanded Edison’s lead to 12 points with a basket off Jazlyn Balderas’ assist and a rebound basket.

Early in the fourth quarter, a three-point shot from Avila and a steal that Andrea Garcia turned into a layup had the Mustangs within seven, 36-29. Rivera scored four unanswered points, and then Munoz took over.

In 12 seconds, the sophomore assisted on a layup to Esqueda, converted a steal and stole the ball again, leading to another Esqueda basket. Munoz dealt five assists in the fourth quarter.

“We tried to catch them off guard,” she said. “We tried to get out on the break and get easy baskets.”

Edison only had nine available players with three missing.

“I think everybody did a really good job of contributing,” Johnson said.

Brackenridge 49, Highlands 37

The Eagles (9-12, 2-0) moved into a first-place tie with Edison in District 28-5A by pulling away from Highlands (5-14, 1-1) Dec. 8 at Alamo Convocation Center.

Genesis Teran led Brackenridge with 16 points. Owls sophomore Layla Mendoza led all scorers with 17.

Brackenridge made a spurt at the end of the second quarter to lead 25-17 at halftime.

McCollum 35, Eagle Pass 33

The Cowboys (12-12) outscored Eagle Pass 11-6 in the fourth quarter to defeat Eagle Pass Dec. 8 in a non-district game at McCollum.